Odisha Bandh Over Balasore Student Tragedy: Protests Erupt, Services Hit
Bhubaneswar (The Uttam Hindu): Eight opposition parties led by the Congress have called for a 12-hour Odisha bandh in Odisha's capital Bhubaneswar on Thursday to protest the self-immolation of a student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College of Balasore and against the increasing violence against women. The bandh, which began at 6 am, has halted bus operations in the city, shops are closed, and protesters are blocking National Highway 16 and Master Canteen Chowk (which is connected to the state secretariat, railway station and airport).
This has completely disrupted traffic on the roads. The protesters are demanding strict action in the self-immolation incident of a 20-year-old student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore and the resignation of Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj.
In an exclusive interview with IANS, CPIM (Liberation) leader Mahendra Parida said that the student had several times sought help from the Chief Minister, Higher Education Minister, Union Education Minister, District Collector, Superintendent of Police, local MLA and MP, but no one paid heed to her complaint.
He said that the college's internal complaint committee had recommended the dismissal of the accused professor Samir Sahu, but the principal opposed it and forced a compromise. Parida put forward three major demands, including the resignation of the Higher Education Minister, a judicial inquiry into the incident and strict punishment to all the culprits.
He said that atrocities against women and children have increased in Odisha in the last one year under the BJP government and the government is ignoring it. Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee General Secretary Pradeep Mahapatra said that the alliance of eight parties is organizing the bandh in a peaceful manner. He said that people are supporting this bandh.
Mahapatra said that the government should improve its working style and work in the interest of the people. However, students are facing problems due to this shutdown. A student in Bhubaneswar said that he had a practical exam today, but due to the shutdown he is facing difficulty in reaching the examination center.
The student said, "We have to walk five kilometres as there are no rides available." Parties like Congress, CPI, CPI(M), CPIML, Forward Bloc, SP, RJD and NCP have supported the bandh. The bandh, which began at 6 am, will continue till 6 pm. The protesters are demanding the government to ensure safety and justice for women.